being brave

Abbey about to take the plunge

Have you ever visited somewhere or driven down a road and wondered what ancient human thought when he or she arrived at that very same point, when that place would have been untouched by humnkind. Well I do.....
On a trip to Saint George Didonne, with all the necessary health and safety precautions observed, I sat on the beach and looked out across the ocean at the gap between Royan and the Pointe de Grave. There was a boat/ship sailing passed the estuary and the enormity of the space in front was striking. Had I been someone who had never seen the sea and had no comprehension of the horizon, I wonder if I would have been fearful or inspired to explore. 

Keira cooling down

I had a similar experience again today driving back from a delivery close to Villeréal when I came over the brow of the hill on the N21, and in front lies The Dordogne Valley. Even with the human disturbance it is a very beautiful site. Hardly surprising that it became developed over time. River Valleys lend themselves to human settlement with their freshwater, fertile soils and ease of transportation. At this point it appears to have managed to maintain some of the natural landscaping. Let us hope that Bergerac does not grow too much, lose that natural touch, and that future developments are planned empathetically, with the preservation of the environment uppermost. I am overwhelmed by the amount of construction that has happened there in the 16 since our move to France, and not all of it is beautiful, nor well thought out. First human would be disappointed I think.

Familiarity breeds contempt, said some clever soul...Chaucer in the 1300's, I am told by my quick internet search..... Not wrong. It sums up peoplekinds relationship with the planet. Loss of respect for what provides us with life.

First Blackberries

I have a new sign for the stand at the market. It is very large and sometimes I have to be brave to put it up as it often brings people to ask me questions about what it means and what we do. This requires me to be energetic and entertaining. Not always easy at 8 in the morning, not in your mother tongue. Of course that is the job of a sign if it has been well designed, thank you Mark Davies..... So, the other day a woman around my age walks backwards and forwards past the stand, observing my other clients and their purchases and finally stops and says, ''I don't usually eat meat, but I think I will try yours''. Progress. A woman who recognises a small business trying to make a difference and work with and within the environment, and is willing to step out of her comfortable, familiar habits and explore other avenues.

I never really know who reads these blogs other than all you lovely people I probably know already, but I hope one day I can inspire another stranger to step out and explore.
See you all very soon, masks on clean hands. Be careful.
​Helenxx